Catch up

We've been busy. Here is a round up of some of our latest adventures!
Disclaimer:  These are outdated and not in any particular order.

We've been going to the zoo pretty regularly, both the one in Boston and the one in Stoneham.

Me: "Moe Moe, go and put your head through the hole so I can take your picture"
Incomplete directions made for a priceless picture.

This is what I was trying for.

Mom doesn't look in the windows.  That is where they keep the spiders.
Or worse, the snakes.  Ewwww

We were learning about prickly pear!!

Mr. Independent

The 4th of July!!!

Happy 4th!!

Red White and Blueberry breakfast for the 4th!

We stopped for lunch one day on the Ipswich River.  There was beautiful scenery but no walking paths like I thought.

our lunchtime view

The kids wouldn't sit still and eat, the water was too fascinating

Father's Day cake....chocolate with chocolate mousse filling and chocolate icing.  Ah-mazing

Biker Girl

GOAL!!!!

We went Strawberry picking earlier in July at Russell Orchard.  Nathan was a little confused as to why there were no apple and where Grandma and Grampa were.

11 lbs of strawberries, very efficient pickers!

Mother's Day

The best gift I got today (aside from quality family time) was that there was beautiful weather.  The sky was clear, there was tons of sun, it was warm; it was perfect.  We ventured out to Franklin Park Zoo, the main zoo for Boston.  I've never been there before, we usually go to the pitiful yet convenient and perfectly sized zoo close to us in Stoneham, we will continue to use that zoo for quick trips but now are planning our next Franklin Park visit.  And both are covered under our membership so we are happy to take advantage, especially given the prices these days!  But anyway, on to the pictures.  Did I forget to mention it was Star Wars Day at the zoo?  Odd but entertaining.  Although this does not compare to Roger Williams as I remember it, it was very well done, especially given that it's as old as it is and in not the best part of town.  But we will be back, we skipped a few exhibits because it was lunch time and we were in a rush to apparently get stuck in the parking lot.  It's as old as the zoo and not made for busy days.  We got trapped by parked cars and the zoo was waiting on the state police to come and tow some people to let us out.  There was a boulder boarder along a grassy part that Scott, being Scott and strong and not intimidated by large rocks, was able to manipulate enough to let us out.  Phew.

Father's Day

Looking at their first zebra who was very energetic.  And an Ostrich.

Wildebeast

Ostrich was parading for us

Maura not sure what to think or look at

Example of Ostrich eggs

Just before Nathan threw a rock at the Star Wars guys (forgive me, I don't know who is who)

This is the guy

Nathan found some bones.  He loves skeletons and bones.

Beautiful Tiger

The lion passed away last month so there was a very large, but vacant display.  Nathan just played in the car.

Something for everyone

A Tapir

We found the gorilla exhibit.  I figured this guy, perched on top of a giant rock structure was the main attraction.

But he had friends !!

And another friend...and a few more, too!  Absolutely amazing.

Chipmunk cheeks from snack time

This boy cannot pass up a bench

And finally, the giraffe!  There were 2 of them off in a distance.  

WWI Park

We visited with our friends Ms. Ashley and Noah this week and found a hidden gem, the WWI Park and Zoo.  It's a free park with a small zoo, many picnic areas, 2 play grounds, a giant slide, "hiking" trails, a beach sandbox, sculptures....just about everything and anything you could think of.

How to feed the animals so they don't nibble little fingers

They're all becoming independent.

Maura loved the deer.  Fun fact, they make noise.  Who knew!

Big slide.  The kids are there to show scale

Worlds slowest slide, you have scoot yourself down

Friends

Climbing to the top of the biiiiig slide

Maura and her buddy "Nona"

Nathan playing in the sand.  There was a time he wouldn't touch it. 

Maura and Noah.  Awww

Maura driving the car

Nathan and Noah figuring out a new ladder

Nathan NOT listening about going down on his bum

The Scenic Overlook is under construction

It's nearly impossible to get 3 kids to sit still long enough to take a picture

Nathan wouldn't leave until I took one last picture.  At least it was a good one.